Cebu

Marine sanctuary established at Gilutongan

CEBU CITY, September 28, 1999 - A new marine sanctuary was officially designated last May 31 at Gilutongan Island, Cordova, Cebu. The sanctuary covers 14 hectares, consisting mainly of coral reefs and seagrasses. "The habitats are still relatively intact," Learning Area Coordinator Ma. Fe Portigo noted. A resource assessment conducted by the Cebu Resource Management Board in 1991 however found that the area is threatened by anchor damage, dynamite fishing, and the influx of scuba divers beyond the environment's carrying capacity.

The sanctuary will be maintained and protected jointly by the community, the Fisheries and Aquatic Resource Management Council, and the municipal government of Cordova. Last September 21, the municipal council approved an ordinance "controlling and regulating the activities of visitors, scuba divers, tourists, snorkelers, pumpboats and other resource users" in the sanctuary.

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CRMP’s primary learning area in Cebu Province is located east of Mactan on the islands of Olango, Sulpa, Nalasuan, Hilutungan, Caohagan, Camungi and Pangan-an, an area covering 1,015 hectares and a coastline of 55 km with 11 barangays and an estimated population of 22,779 people (1995). Olango, in particular, is a developed tourism area largely known for its sandy beaches and as a bird sanctuary. Twice a year from September to November and from February to April, 48 species of migratory birds flock to this small island, enriching the area’s already rich fauna (49 resident avian species, including 7 of unconfirmed origin) and drawing tourists from around the world. But live reef fishing remains the major source of income and, like many small islands whose inhabitants are highly dependent on the sea for livelihood, Olango, as well as the smaller islands nearby, is suffering from declining fish catch resulting from over-fishing and habitat destruction. People are aware of the problem and what causes it: Up to 67% of respondents in a recent survey believed the decline in fish catch would continue in the face of unabated cyanide and blast fishing. CRMP is doing the spadework designed to turn such high level of awareness into concrete actions for sound and sustainable coastal resource management.